Phanom Thuan (Thai: พนมทวน, pronounced [pʰā.nōm tʰūa̯n]) is a district (amphoe) in the eastern part of Kanchanaburi province, western central Thailand.

Phanom Thuan
พนมทวน
Wat Ban Thuan, tambon Phanom Thuan
Wat Ban Thuan, tambon Phanom Thuan
District location in Kanchanaburi province
District location in Kanchanaburi province
Coordinates: 14°7′49″N 99°41′56″E / 14.13028°N 99.69889°E / 14.13028; 99.69889
CountryThailand
ProvinceKanchanaburi
SeatPhanom Thuan
Area
 • Total
535.78 km2 (206.87 sq mi)
Population
 (2017)[1][2]
 • Total
43,654
 • Density81/km2 (210/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+7 (ICT)
Postal code71140[3]
Geocode7109

History

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The area of Phanom Thuan was occupied in prehistoric times. At the archaeological site of Ban Don Ta Phet many artifacts were found in a 4th century cemetery, which indicated trade relations with India, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

At the Don Chedi archaeological site an excavation by the Fine Arts Department in 1982 recovered many human skeletons as well as elephant bones and swords. Thus this site might even have been the location of the famous battle of King Naresuan against the Burmese crown-prince, most commonly assigned to the Don Chedi district nearby.

Phanom Thuan district was one of the first three districts of Kanchanaburi Province. It was at first named Nuea ('northern') district as it covered the northern part of the province. When in 1831 King Rama III relocated the center of Kanchanaburi and readjusted its extent, Nuea district was renamed to Ban Thuan, covering the mountainous areas and the northward flowing river. In 1939 the district name was changed to Phanom Thuan.[4]

The name "Phanom Thuan" comes from a local waterway Khlong Thuan or Maenam Thuan, a minor branch of Mae Klong River which separated itself from the Mae Klong at Tha Muang district in the area of Mae Klong Dam then flows upstream (hence the name "Phanom Thuan", which means "upstream watercourse") up till it finally confluence with Khlong Chorakhe Sam Phan, a branch of Tha Chin River. While "Phanom" is a borrowed word from the Khmer "ភ្នំ", meaning "mountain".[5]

Geography

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Neighbouring districts are (from the south clockwise) Tha Maka, Tha Muang, Bo Phloi, Huai Krachao of Kanchanaburi Province, U Thong and Song Phi Nong of Suphanburi province.

Administration

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The district is divided into eight sub-districts (tambons), which are further subdivided into 103 villages (mubans). There are four sub-district municipalities (thesaban tambon) within the district. Phanom Thuan covers the central part of the sub-district Phanom Tuan, Talat Khet the part central of Rang Wai. The municipality Rang Wai covers the remaining parts of the sub-district, and Nong Sarai the whole of the same-named tambon. There are a further six tambon administrative organizations (TAO).

No. Name Thai Villages Pop.[1]
01. Phanom Thuan พนมทวน 9 2,338
02. Nong Rong หนองโรง 17 6,738
03. Thung Samo ทุ่งสมอ 4 3,113
04. Don Chedi ดอนเจดีย์ 8 4,914
05. Phang Tru พังตรุ 20 9,492
06. Rang Wai รางหวาย 23 7,302[2]
11. Nong Sarai หนองสาหร่าย 9 3,591[2]
12. Don Ta Phet ดอนตาเพชร 13 5,872

Missing numbers now form Huai Krachao District.

Economy

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Phanom Thuan covers an area of approximately 200,000 rais (535.78 km2), of which 45% is agricultural land. Residents have a career in raising livestock such as beef cattle, etc.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b "รายงานสถิติจำนวนประชากรและบ้านประจำปี พ.ศ.2560". Department of Provincial Administration (in Thai). Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "รายงานสถิติจำนวนประชากรและบ้านประจำปี พ.ศ.2560". Department of Provincial Administration (in Thai). Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  3. ^ Rang Wai has postcode 71170 (Huai Khachao)
  4. ^ พระราชกฤษฎีกาเปลี่ยนนามอำเภอ กิ่งอำเภอ และตำบลบางแห่ง พุทธศักราช ๒๔๘๒ (PDF). Royal Gazette (in Thai). 56 (ก): 354–364. April 17, 1939. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 19, 2009.
  5. ^ a b Nice To Meet You (2023-06-24). "พนมทวน" [Phanom Thuan]. Thai PBS (in Thai). Retrieved 2023-06-25.
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